14/05/2026
HCM= Official breeder statement. I breed cats with the only aim of breeding them healthier. The average lifespan of a Sphynx is 7 years. That's devestating as they're, as you know, the best animal on the planet. (a Dugong close second)
1 in 7 cats get HCM in their lifetime and sphynx are 1 in 5.
My understanding of a genetic link ALSM1 gene, has come from NC vet cardiac research university. Their studies say a homozygous gene gives a Sphynx a 60% likely hood of getting HCM. So a few of us breeders, have spent years and years and tens of thousands of dollars breeding it out. I have bought and tested and Desexed probably 50 otherwise perfect cats. I have Desexed my favorite cat in the world because of the gene, who was otherwise perfection.
A new study out of New Zealand, has sadly found a 0% link between HCM and ALSM1.
S**T.
Now. I am not a scientist but I am technically an expert through experience. +15 years makes one so. Neither study takes 50/100 sphynx only cats with HCM and tests their ALSM1 status. So I see them both as flawed. They may not be tho.
Ecocardigrams = I echo my cats as needed. Of course I do this. The issue with an echo, is that the average age to develop HCM is much older than the retirement age of a cat. I retire my boys very young also. This also does not help in the overall HCM issue.
What the hell do we do.
I myself have a double marker to develop HCM in my lifetime. I will most likely die of heart disease. What SHOULD I do? Eat the most nutritious, best quality food I can afford, and exercise. Do I do those things? Absolutely not. Is this the same advice for a sphynx? Definitely!
I am going to continue an HCM approach leaning towards caution. I will not breed a homozygous cat to anyone, ever. Moving forward I may not desex on alsm1 alone, as, the Gene pool for Sphynx cats in Australia is small.
I will continue to echo as needed, always.
I will always continue my HCM guarantee. It's not a guarantee that your kitten will never develop HCM, that's impossible, but I will replace your kitten for free if it does before age 3. Not because I could have stopped it, but because again, I don't breed for money, I breed for love... (there's no money when you do this right haha)
I can give you honesty and the oath that I'm doing the best I possibly can and just want you to have the joy I have in Sphynx cats.
Love, Laura.